2019 Nationals: Senior Dance Free Dance

by Liz Leamy

Hubbell and Donohue Score Second U.S.
Dance Title

(27 January 2019) Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue, the 2018 World silver medalists and
2018 U.S. Champions, scored their second consecutive U.S. title
finishing on top of the 12-entry field at this year’s U.S. dance event
with a resounding 215.88 total score.

Skating to the edgy and captivating
1996 ‘Romeo and Juliet’ film soundtrack, this duo, known for
their flow, body lean, quick turns and steps and deep edges,
performed dizzying, well-formed lifts, intricate step
sequences and highly technical twizzles and other exciting
elements.

Perhaps more than anything, it was
obvious why Hubbell & Donohue, the 2018 International
Skating Union Championship Grand Prix champions, are
currently ranked as one of the top dance teams in the world.

For Hubbell, a Sylvania, Ohio native,
and Donohue, originally from Madison, Connecticut, the key
seems to be all about just striving to be their best,
whether it be in competition or practice. (They train in
Montreal with Marie France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon.)

Hubbell & Donohue said they are also
excited to be part of this next generation of U.S. ice
dancers.

“To be part of this journey is an
honor,” said Donohue.

According to Hubbell, the team plans to
focus on further developing the artistic storyline and
narrative of their free dance in terms of preparing for
Worlds, which will be held in Tokyo in March.

“What we would [really] love to
[further] develop is the story and the connection,” said
Hubbell.

Madison Chock & Evan Bates, the
two-time World medalists and 2015 U.S. Champions, clinched
silver with their entertaining free dance to ‘Fever’ by
Elvis Presley and Michael Buble and ‘Burning Love’ by Elvis
Presley, which put their total final score at 211.52.

This duo, who also train with Dubreuil
and Lauzon in Montreal, knocked out expert lifts, twizzles
and footwork with visible aptitude and ease, which earned
them big points.

Excited about their performance, Chock
& Bates said the key for their continuing to grow, move
forward and ultimately achieve their dreams is to continue
building their inner strength and self-confidence.

“The self belief we’re feeling right
now is really the strength that is going to carry us [to]
where we want to go,” said Bates.

Kaitlin Hawayek & Jean-Luc Baker, the
2018 ISU Championship Grand Prix finalists, racked up their
highest-ever U.S. Championship placement to date, claiming
bronze in this event with a 196.95 total score.

This duo, who also trains in Montreal
with Dubreuil and Lauzon, earned high scores for their fast,
powerful program to ‘In this Shirt’ by the Irrepressibles.

As the final team
of the night to perform, Hawayek & Baker exhibited
terrific flow, deep edges, wonderful turns and steps, and
fast-moving lifts in their program, among other things.

According to Hawayek, training in
Montreal with the other U.S. teams, as well as with so many
of the other accomplished dancers representing other
countries who are there has been a huge inspiration for
them.

“Everyday we go to the rink and feel
inspired,” said Hawayek. “I’m really excited to continue.”